Dear all,
I hope you have enjoyed the summer and fine weather throughout most of August. Parliament has now resumed for what is sure to be an extremely busy few months back in Westminster. As I look forward to that, I want to reflect on what has been my first Summer Recess and just how enjoyable it has been to spend the majority of my time touring the constituency, meeting so many of you. There has been no sitting about and on my first day back home, I started a 54 location tour working from East to West across the constituency. From the brilliant sunshine in Horsey, Hickling and Ludham on day 1 we finished in the pouring rain in Langham, Holkham and Wells six weeks later!
Being active, approachable, and visible in the community are some of my principle aims as your MP and as I made my way around the constituency, the reception from everyone I met was hugely welcoming. I have been truly humbled by the warmth from so many residents who took the time to meet me and ask me questions, and it’s been a pleasure solving so many problems that people wanted to share.
Whether helping constituents with cancelled operations or taking up highway issues in many of our villages, the tour has been a great success and it has been enormously rewarding to help so many. From listening to many stories of people overcoming such difficult situations throughout the pandemic, to meeting entrepreneurs who’ve started businesses in their garages during lockdown, not a day went by when I wasn’t amazed by the spirit and communities that define North Norfolk.
It has been an incredibly busy summer with a huge influx of visitors to our area. This has been a lifeline to our local economy, and North Norfolk alone has enjoyed 203,000 discounted meals through the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, benefiting local businesses by over £1m. Despite such a busy period we have continued to see remarkably low infection rates. As our children return to school, having missed seeing their friends for many months, I wish them all a safe return. In the run-up to Christmas, I will be visiting more towns and villages around the constituency, offering surgeries, and supporting residents, charities, and businesses in any way I can.
Duncan Baker
MP for North Norfolk
